Zoe suppressed a sigh. It was hard. She managed anyway. “That’s why I called you here. We only learned about the threat this morning.”
Carlos cut in before Genoa could say anything else. “Does this have anything to do with the incident that occurred the other week?”
“Indeed. I was attacked in my own home. We believe they were after a ring I possess.”
“I want to ask about that,” Genoa said, “but first tell me how Juliana factors into this mess.”
“She possesses an identical ring, given to us by a mutual acquaintance.”
“Powers, enchantments, and abilities of the rings?”
“The rings are quite fascinating. I had several notebooks worth of notes on the subject before my home burnt to the ground. The properties of just the metal are simply astounding. I had only scratched the surface on what kind of enchantments might be on–”
Zoe cut herself off with a light cough before she could get too excited. “There is definite cause for someone to want one. I’ve been told that their primary purpose is protection by way of dissuasion against certain entities.” The last word was punctuated with a glance towards Carlos.
“Demons, dear,” he said softly.
Genoa’s lips pressed into a thin line as she reached up and adjusted her glasses into their proper place. With a glance towards her husband, she said, “I see.”
“Zoe was attacked while I was meeting with Juliana. I heard about it then.”
“I was not wearing it at the time and thus missed the chance to verify the protection ability.”
“You were attacked by demons.”
Zoe gave a quick nod. “Which is why we felt the protections offered by the Brakket dormitories were insufficient.”
“I believe I would like to see my daughter.”
Another nod from Zoe. That was expected and planned for. On Juliana’s suggestion, they decided to avoid all mention of Ylva or her domain. The girls would be staying within the women’s ward until Genoa left.
“I can bring you to them. Would you like to drive or shall I ferry you there?”
“Teleportation, if you will.”
Zoe stepped forwards and took hold of Genoa’s arm. “Carlos, I’ll return for you in a moment.”
“I’ll wait right here.”
With a swipe of her dagger, the world fell away to the cool white of between. The sensation lasted mere instants before the pathway leading towards the women’s ward appeared beneath their feet. The rest of reality followed soon after.
“The paths are safe. Avoid the buildings until we get you keyed into the wards. They are not to be trifled with and may cause maiming or death.”
Rather than the acknowledgment Zoe expected, Genoa’s thin lips twisted into a sadistic smile. “If these wards are going to be protecting my daughter, I think a good test is in order.”
“Genoa! That’s not–”
The woman was gone. A pillar of stone jutted out of the ground where she had stood, propelling Genoa with it.
Zoe pinched the bridge of her nose. Genoa had survived as long as she had without too much trouble. Surely she could survive the minute or so it would take to get Carlos and have him talk sense into her.
With a swipe of her dagger, the world vanished.
— — —
A boulder crashed into the common room.
Right through the window adjacent to the front door.
Shards of glass, stone, and metal exploded inwards. If it wasn’t for Arachne diving to cover Eva and Juliana raising a wall in front of herself and Shalise, they could have been killed by debris.
Unacceptable.
“Arachne,” Eva shouted as all five vials of blood swarmed to her open hand. “Handle it.”
Arachne got to her feet and ran outside. Her grin as she sprinted would not have looked out of place on a serial killer.
Several backup vials of blood in her room exploded, releasing the contents. A second boulder crashed through one of the guest rooms in the time it took the blood to travel and form up into the ball in her hand.
Eva shaped it into the largest shield she had ever created.
Just in time.
She felt a massive impact on the shield. Whatever boulder just got deflected would have impacted straight on top of them.
Confident her shield could handle at least a handful more boulders, Eva made her way towards the unbroken window.
Two combatants danced over the space between the women’s ward and the walls.
One was the obsidian black form of Arachne. Only four legs sprouted from her back. No bulbous behind appeared. Either the demon needed the mobility or she wasn’t being serious.
Eva hoped it was the latter. The unmistakable form of Genoa Rivas was her dance partner.
Showing off as many of her scars as she could without offending the delicate sensibilities of mere mortals, Genoa slung bits of earth towards Arachne with a fervor. Occasional bursts of fire joined the stone.
The smile on her face matched Arachne’s in intensity. Neither looked very friendly.
